Skip to main content

Black Stork

Ciconia nigra

Photo by YorkieSutaryo
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

35.6503, 139.4

Field Notes

Description:

The black stork is a large but fairly secretive bird. The black head, upperparts, wings, tail and long neck have a conspicuous green or purple gloss, contrasting with the white belly, undertail and ‘armpits’. The long legs and long, straight beak are bright scarlet in adults, especially during the breeding season, and a patch of scarlet skin also surrounds the eye

The male and female black stork are similar in appearance, though the male may be slightly larger, while the juvenile has slightly browner, duller, less glossy plumage, and a pale olive-green beak and legs.

Habitat:

Old, undisturbed, open forest and woodland, at elevations of up to 2,000 to 2,500 meters.

Foraging occurs in streams, pools, marshes, riverbanks, swampy patches, damp meadows and occasionally in grasslands, but the black stork usually avoids large bodies of water or areas of dense forest.

Species ID Suggestions

Black Stork

Ciconia nigra

Comments (1)

Tags

Photographed
PublishedFebruary 5, 2012

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon